To + infinitive (purpose/intention) or For + gerund (function or reason)

For is used with nouns to express individual purpose/intention:

• I decided I would save up for a new computer.

• I went to the shop for milk.
• They are using animals for scientific experiments.
When the subject is a person or more and the purpose is expressed with another verb, we use to +
infinitive.

• I decided to save up to buy a new computer.

• I went to the shop to buy milk.
• They are using animals to do scientific experiments.
For + gerund is used to express the function of things (things are the subject). They answer the
question what is that for? Or what is this thing (used) for?" I

• This oven is used for making bread

• Cell phones are now used for surfing the Net
• This mop is for cleaning the floor.
For + gerund is used to express the reason (people are the subject): What is the reason …? Can
be rephrased with because.

• She’s famous for being a good singer. She’s famous because she is a good singer.
• The coach punished the player for calling the referee a thief. The coach punished they
player because he called the referee a thief.
With the verb use both to + infinitive and for + gerund are possible.

• Most people now use their cars to go shopping. Most people now use their cars for
shopping.
• The button is used for opening the dialog. The button is used to open the dialog.

Notes:

• When to is used with the function explained in this lesson (purpose/intention), we can
replace it with 'in order to' or 'so as to'.
o I went to the shop to buy milk. I went to the shop in order to buy milk.
• Some verbs need ‘to + infinitive' as part of their patterns. This is different from the use of
to explained in this lesson. Examples:
o Decide + to + infinitive: I've decided to go home.
o Promise + to + infinitive: She promised to arrive ear